Karen Elizabeth (French) Cleary

SALEM – Mrs. Karen Elizabeth (French) Cleary, 74, beloved wife of James Cleary, died unexpectedly, November 28th, 2025 at Salem Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Arlington, she was the daughter of the late Warren and June (Collins) French. She was raised and educated in Arlington and was a graduate of Arlington High School, class of 1969. As a young girl she especially enjoyed summers in Ipswich at the family beach house surrounded by her large loving family.

Mrs. Cleary had been employed with the City of Salem School Department in Food Services. She was the Head Chef at the Collins Middle School for 16 years. She loved her career and especially enjoyed her co-workers, who became friends.

A longtime resident of the city of Salem, Karen was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was always the “Life of the Party” and with her affable nature drew people into her circle of friends. A long-time active member of AFSCME union, Karen even worked in her retirement with the school system as a consultant. She was a member of the Lafyette Club in Salem, was an avid bowler, in younger years played volleyball and appreciated time spent travelling especially to Maine where she would snowmobile and relish in the out of doors. She was easy to like and even easier to laugh and made friends where ever she went.

Family was always at the center of her life. From summer cookouts in Ipswich to afternoons at a family event, to nights at the “club”, if Karen was surrounded by her children and grandchildren, she was content. She was especially close to her siblings and nieces and nephews and took great pride in being a member of the large French family. She was a true gem who will be forever missed.

Karen is survived by the love of her life and husband of 38 years, James “Jimmy” Cleary of Salem, her children, James Sullivan III of Plymouth, MI, Sean Sullivan and his wife, Audrey of Salem, Heather DeRocher and her husband, Paul of Hopedale, Kelly Cameron and her husband, Jeremy of Beverly and Kevin Cleary and his wife, Katelyn of Salem, her grandchildren, June, Maisie, Ellen and James Sullivan, Paul “PJ” DeRocher, Zoey, Jacob and John Cameron, Madison Purpura and Owen Cleary, her siblings, Shirley Berry and her husband, Daniel of Ipswich, Kevin French and his wife, Trish of Colorado, Bryan French and his wife, Jean of Arlington, Jeffrey French and his wife, Diane of Ipswich, Kathy Stringer and her husband, Thomas of PA, Sheila Aubin and her husband, Ronald of NH and Denise French of Ipswich and many, many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Paul, David, Robert and Warren French.

ARRANGEMENTS: Her funeral service will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Square, (at Salem Common) SALEM, Friday, Dec. 5th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Thursday, Dec. 4th from 4 to 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Karen’s memory to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75231. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com